The Rev. Tony Hiatt has been assigned by the Rt. Rev. Rayford B. High, Jr. to serve as priest-in-charge of the Episcopal community forming in Wise County, starting in August.

Ellen Whitley, who spearheaded the effort to create an Episcopal presence in Wise County, announced the news to those gathered for Morning Prayer on Sunday, June 28. “Everyone’s eyes got really big,” she said, when she told them they would soon be having the services of a priest every week. “We can’t wait to meet him.” The community is also hoping to find ways to get involved in outreach.

“I believe this is going to be a wonderful opportunity for the Church,” said Bishop High.

“I’m excited,” Hiatt said. “I’ve been hearing great things about what’s going on in Wise County.”

The Rev. Tony Hiatt

Hiatt is a bi-vocational priest and has been serving at St. Luke’s in the Meadow, and his wife, Lydia, teaches in Wise County, in Boyd. She attended the first planning meeting back in February and has been to attend the church since they started meeting in Decatur.